Introduction

The Cisco iSCSI Driver for AIX provides an IP host with the ability to access storage through an IP network. The iSCSI driver uses the iSCSI protocol to transport SCSI requests and responses over an IP network between the IP host and a Cisco SN 5400 Series system.

Architecturally, the iSCSI driver combines with the IP host's TCP/IP stack, network drivers, and network interface cards (NICs) to provide the same functions as a SCSI or a Fibre Channel adapter driver with a host bus adapter (HBA).

The iSCSI driver provides a transport for SCSI requests and responses for storage devices; however, instead of providing a transport for directly attached devices, the driver transports the SCSI requests and responses between the IP host and the target system via an IP network.

Once the iSCSI driver is installed and started, the host proceeds with a discovery process for storage devices.

A more technical description of the driver's design and its features can be found in the readme file that accompanies the iSCSI driver in the downloaded driver archive file.

Note The iSCSI protocol is an IETF-defined protocol for IP storage (ips). For more information about the iSCSI protocol, refer to the IETF standards for IP storage at http://www.ietf.org.

System Requirements

This section describes the system requirements for version 3.4.1 and includes the following information:

Operating System Requirements

•This driver requires an IP host running the IBM AIX 4.3.3 or IBM AIX 5.2 (32 bit) operating system. IBM recommends that all AIX systems be upgraded with the most current patch set.

The following packages must be installed on the host:

–devices.fcp.disk.rte

–devices.fcp.tape.rte

These packages are available on the IBM AIX operating system CD.

•The driver supports single-processor and multiprocessor machines.

•To ensure the best performance for iSCSI drivers, the extended windowing feature of TCP should be enabled on all IP hosts. In general, a larger window size enhances system performance.

•The receive and transmit flow control feature of the Gigabit Ethernet driver should be enabled on all IP hosts.

SN 5400 Series System Software Requirements

The iSCSI Driver version 3.4.1 for IBM AIX is interoperable with a Cisco SN 5400 Series system running software release 3.2 or later. This version of the driver is not interoperable with a Cisco SN 5400 Series system running software release 2.5 or earlier.

New and Changed Information

The iSCSI Driver version 3.4.1 for IBM AIX includes support for the AIX 5.2 operating system. The driver supports only the 32-bit version of AIX 5.2.

See the readme file for additional information about all new features.

Installation Notes

This section describes how to obtain iSCSI driver software and upgrade an existing iSCSI driver installation, and includes the following information:

Downloading the iSCSI Driver

Registered Cisco.com users can download the most current Cisco iSCSI drivers, readme files and release notes from Cisco.com. In addition, information about driver compatibility and other relevant driver information is available on Cisco.com.

You can access software and related information by following these instructions:

Step 4 At the Software Download web page, click the file that you want to download. Another software download web page will be displayed with detailed information about the download file and Cisco's Software License Agreement. Follow the instructions on that and any subsequent web pages to download the software.

Step 5 To install and configure storage router software, see the appropriate storage router software configuration guide and release notes. To install and configure an iSCSI driver, see the readme file that accompanies the iSCSI driver (in the downloaded driver archive file) and the appropriate release notes.

Installing, Upgrading and Uninstalling iSCSI Driver Software

For complete procedures to install and configure, upgrade, or uninstall iSCSI driver software, refer to the readme file that accompanies the iSCSI driver (in the downloaded driver archive file).

Caveats

Caveats describe unexpected behavior or defects in the specified version of the driver. Severity 1 caveats are the most serious caveats; severity 2 caveats are less serious.

There are no open or resolved severity 1 or 2 caveats for the iSCSI Driver version 3.4.1 for IBM AIX.

Related Documentation

The following sections describe the related documentation available for the iSCSI Driver version 3.4.1 for IBM AIX. These documents consist of the iSCSI driver release notes and readme file and the SN 5400 Series system hardware installation and software configuration guides.

Release-Specific Documents

This Release Notes document and the readme file are the only documents specific to iSCSI Driver version 3.4.1 for IBM AIX. The release notes document is located on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM. The iSCSI driver readme file is available in electronic format, as part of the software download package. See the "Downloading the iSCSI Driver" section for details.

Hardware Documents

Refer to the appropriate SN 5400 Series system hardware installation guide for hardware installation procedures. These documents are available as electronic documents on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM

Software Documents

Refer to the appropriate SN 5400 Series system software configuration guide for software configuration information. These documents are available as electronic documents on Cisco.com and the Documentation CD-ROM.

Service and Support

For service and support for a product purchased from a reseller, contact the reseller, who offers a wide variety of Cisco service and support programs described in "Service and Support" of Cisco Information Packet shipped with your product.

Note If you purchased your product from a reseller, you can access Cisco.com as a guest. Cisco.com is Cisco Systems' primary real-time support channel. Your reseller offers programs that include direct access to Cisco.com services.

For service and support for a product purchased directly from Cisco, use Cisco.com.

Obtaining Documentation

Cisco provides several ways to obtain documentation, technical assistance, and other technical resources. These sections explain how to obtain technical information from Cisco Systems.

Cisco.com

You can access the most current Cisco documentation on the World Wide Web at this URL:

Documentation CD-ROM

Cisco documentation and additional literature are available in a Cisco Documentation CD-ROM package, which may have shipped with your product. The Documentation CD-ROM is updated regularly and may be more current than printed documentation. The CD-ROM package is available as a single unit or through an annual or quarterly subscription.

Registered Cisco.com users can order a single Documentation CD-ROM (product number DOC-CONDOCCD=) through the Cisco Ordering tool:

Obtaining Technical Assistance

For all customers, partners, resellers, and distributors who hold valid Cisco service contracts, the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) provides 24-hour-a-day, award-winning technical support services, online and over the phone. Cisco.com features the Cisco TAC website as an online starting point for technical assistance. If you do not hold a valid Cisco service contract, please contact your reseller.

Cisco TAC Website

The Cisco TAC website (http://www.cisco.com/tac) provides online documents and tools for troubleshooting and resolving technical issues with Cisco products and technologies. The Cisco TAC website is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Accessing all the tools on the Cisco TAC website requires a Cisco.com user ID and password. If you have a valid service contract but do not have a login ID or password, register at this URL:

Opening a TAC Case

Using the online TAC Case Open Tool (http://www.cisco.com/tac/caseopen) is the fastest way to open P3 and P4 cases. (P3 and P4 cases are those in which your network is minimally impaired or for which you require product information.) After you describe your situation, the TAC Case Open Tool automatically recommends resources for an immediate solution. If your issue is not resolved using the recommended resources, your case will be assigned to a Cisco TAC engineer.

For P1 or P2 cases (P1 and P2 cases are those in which your production network is down or severely degraded) or if you do not have Internet access, contact Cisco TAC by telephone. Cisco TAC engineers are assigned immediately to P1 and P2 cases to help keep your business operations running smoothly.

TAC Case Priority Definitions

To ensure that all cases are reported in a standard format, Cisco has established case priority definitions.

Priority 1 (P1)—Your network is "down" or there is a critical impact to your business operations. You and Cisco will commit all necessary resources around the clock to resolve the situation.

Priority 2 (P2)—Operation of an existing network is severely degraded, or significant aspects of your business operation are negatively affected by inadequate performance of Cisco products. You and Cisco will commit full-time resources during normal business hours to resolve the situation.

Priority 3 (P3)—Operational performance of your network is impaired, but most business operations remain functional. You and Cisco will commit resources during normal business hours to restore service to satisfactory levels.

Priority 4 (P4)—You require information or assistance with Cisco product capabilities, installation, or configuration. There is little or no effect on your business operations.

Obtaining Additional Publications and Information

Information about Cisco products, technologies, and network solutions is available from various online and printed sources.

•The Cisco Product Catalog describes the networking products offered by Cisco Systems, as well as ordering and customer support services. Access the Cisco Product Catalog at this URL:

•Cisco Press publishes a wide range of general networking, training and certification titles. Both new and experienced user will benefit from these publications. For current Cisco Press titles and other information, go to Cisco Press online at this URL:

•Packet magazine is the Cisco quarterly publication that provides the latest networking trends, technology breakthroughs, and Cisco products and solutions to help industry professionals get the most from their networking investment. Included are networking deployment and troubleshooting tips, configuration examples, customer case studies, tutorials and training, certification information, and links to numerous in-depth online resources. You can access Packet magazine at this URL:

•Internet Protocol Journal is a quarterly journal published by Cisco Systems for engineering professionals involved in designing, developing, and operating public and private internets and intranets. You can access the Internet Protocol Journal at this URL: